https://arab.news/cbky4
- The Saudi right-back scored a late winner to take his team to the final on May 31
JEDDAH: Al-Hilal coach Jorge Jesus has revealed his delight at his team鈥檚 2-1 win over Al-Ittihad in the semifinals of the King鈥檚 Cup on Tuesday night, with particular praise for the 鈥渆xtraordinary鈥� match-winner Saud Abdelhamid.
Brazilian forward Michael had given Al-Hilal the lead in the 25th minute at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah before Serbian teammate Sergej Milinkovic-Savic was sent off three minutes before half time.
Morocco international Abderrazak Hamdallah equalized for the reigning Saudi Pro League champions after 67 minutes, before Abdulhamid scored in the 81st minute to take his team to the King鈥檚 Cup final on May 31. They will meet the winners of Wednesday鈥檚 second semifinal between Al-Nassr and Al-Khaleej.
鈥淪aud Abdulhamid is extraordinary. In the 90th minute he is still going at full speed,鈥� said Jesus. 鈥淗e can always improve, and I expect the best from him. Saudi players in general are open to developing tactically.鈥�
He added: 鈥淲e fought for more than 60 minutes (with the one-man) deficiency, and after conceding the equalizer we were better in transitions and controlled the match.鈥�
The Portuguese coach has set his sights on completing a hat trick of triumphs this season.
鈥淲e have three championships this season,鈥� Jesus added. 鈥淭he league is close, we already achieved the (Saudi) Super Cup, and now we have reached the (King鈥檚) cup final. This is a wonderful thing, and we are continuing to achieve our goals.鈥�
He added that excluding Salman Al-Faraj from the starting lineup had been a 鈥渢actical鈥� decision.